President Obama Issues Proclamation on 22nd Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Today, President Obama proclaimed July 26, 2012, the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proclamation encourages individuals to celebrate the passage of this historic legislation.

Paying tribute to the efforts of individuals with disabilities, the proclamation states: “Because so many advocates understood injustice from the depths of their own experience, they also knew that by allowing injustice to stand, we were depriving our Nation and our economy of the full talents and contributions of tens of millions of Americans with disabilities. Today, those Americans are leaders not only in every field and throughout every part of our national life, but also in the journey to bring the American dream within reach for our next generation. On this anniversary of the ADA, we celebrate the contributions Americans with disabilities have made to our Nation, and we rededicate ourselves to empowering every individual with those most American principles of equal access and equal opportunity.”

In a statement released today, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, “This year’s 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides an opportunity to reflect on its successes and recommit to achieving the vision of full participation in community life for all Americans, including people with disabilities. The ADA has profoundly changed how our nation views and accommodates its citizens with disabilities. Countless people, their families and communities have benefited.”

The Department of Health and Human Services, including AIDD, is committed to building on the accomplishments of ADA and addressing remaining barriers, such as the elimination of unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities as described in the Supreme Court’s Olmstead v. L.C. decision. In addition, the establishment of the Administration for Community Living helps further AIDD’s goal of ensuring that people with disabilities have the supports they need to live fully in their communities.

The full proclamation can be accessed below:

Presidential Proclamation — Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2012